"I just know that Mr. Darcy will fall in love with Jane the moment he sees her. I doubt he can resist one so beautiful as Jane," Mrs. Bennet was bragging to Mrs. Phillips about her cunning in bringing William and Jane together. As her mother had neither the care nor delicacy to conceal her actions, Elizabeth heard every word. Mary looked across the chessboard to Elizabeth and rolled her eyes.
"Lizzy do not mind her," Mary whispered. "Jane would not suit Mr. Darcy at all. He is smart enough to know that. What is more, he is not one to be swayed based on the superficial."
"I would not call our sister's many attributes superficial."
Mary was concerned about Elizabeth. She had never seen her sister like this. They had all been compared unfavorably to Jane for years, but, more often than not, Elizabeth laughed it off, confident in her own qualities. It was only since Mr. Darcy had arrived that she noticed their mother's frequent comments weighing more heavily on Elizabeth.
"I would not call them substantial either," Mary responded almost apologetically. "I love Jane. She is everything that is good but that does not mean she is without flaws. And those things she is touted for are not really so very hard to come by; others are good, kind, and compassionate too." Elizabeth remembered having a similar conversation with William. "I think most people of our acquaintance, with some notable exceptions, are yet Jane receives an inordinate amount of praise for it. I know it may feel traitorous to even think such things and Jane is as dear to me as anyone in this world, but you have put her on a pedestal for too long, Lizzy.
"As for myself, I may be considered accomplished or maybe even talented but that does not mean I do not also have my share of goodness, as do you. What is more, you are witty and intelligent and strong and one of the best people I know. You are Mr. Darcy's equal in all the ways that matter, and he has made his preference known to those who wish to see it. Trust in his integrity and do not worry. Mama will not have her way in this."
Elizabeth turned over her own king on the chessboard. "Well, that is checkmate, would you not say? Darling Mary, you are a treasure." Elizabeth reached across the table and put a hand to her sister's cheek.
"I know, and one day the right man will notice that. For if he does not, he is not the right man. It is that simple."
Elizabeth thought on that statement for a moment. She believed Mary was correct. If William was the right man for her, he would not be influenced by Jane's beauty or her mother's schemes. That did not mean she had to passively wait for him. She needed to show William she held him in some affection. Only this morning, Charlotte had advised Elizabeth to show more affection than she may feel in order to encourage his attentions.
Before speaking to Mary, she was looking forward to William's return to Netherfield Park but it was tempered by a feeling of dread that her mother's ploy may have worked. Now something shifted in her and she felt a rush of confidence she had been missing these last few weeks. She would let that carry her forward, she vowed. From this moment on she would not let her mother interfere anymore where William was concerned.
Elizabeth knew her pledge would be tested sooner rather than later. It was not even a quarter of an hour before Mrs. Bennet made a comment about sending an express requesting William bring Jane home on his way back from London. However, she did not have a chance to challenge her mother.
"Mrs. Bennet, you will do nothing of the sort. I should have put a stop to your efforts well before now. You have already conspired to place Mr. Darcy in Jane's presence and I will allow nothing more." Everyone turned in amazement to look at Mr. Bennet. Until he spoke, they had quite forgotten that he had joined the ladies for tea that afternoon.
"But Jane—"
"Will remain in London. And I will not hear another word about Mr. Darcy and Jane unless the gentleman himself broaches the subject, which, I assure you, will not happen. You may have a small amount of control over Jane, but you have none over Mr. Darcy. He is not one yield to the wishes or demands of others if they do not meet his own intentions."
"And why should it not happen? Mr. Darcy could be falling in love with Jane as we speak." Mrs. Bennet verbalized the fear that Elizabeth had not yet fully relinquished.
"He could but he is not. I should not speculate on a young man's romantic interest, but it is obvious he likes Lizzy," Mr. Bennet huffed in exasperation. "And if he is the man I think he is, he will not be persuaded otherwise. Jane is a good girl, but not everyone favors her as you do.
"You have five daughters, all of whom require and deserve your care. I will hear no more of you placing one daughter above any of the others. I know I am guilty of such indulgence, too, so we must both work to remedy our failures to our girls. No more, Mrs. Bennet, no more." Mr. Bennet grew louder as he spoke.
"Sister, do you see how I am treated? That I should be so abused when all I seek is the benefit of our family is cruel." Mrs. Bennet brought a handkerchief up to her face to dab at her seemingly dry eyes.
"Surely, you can do that while promoting Lizzy and Mary as well as Jane. Would that not be even more beneficial? And though they are still young, Kitty and Lydia need equal attention and comfort. It can be very hurtful to know one's parents favor one's sister more." Mrs. Phillips had long felt the neglect that accompanied her own parents' partiality to her older sister and only brother.
"How can you misuse me in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves." With a final wail, Mrs. Bennet hurried from the room leaving the others in silence.
"It had to be said, Thomas," Mrs. Phillips said quietly.
"Yes, yes, but it should have been said long before now. I do thank you for your support. I know that was not easy for you."
"Oh, it was quite easy. I just never thought to do so before. However, the girls should not have to hear any more of this disagreement."
Elizabeth spoke for the first time since Mr. Bennet's rebuke of her mother. "It is exactly what we need to hear. It warms my heart that you have both spoken to our defense."
"Oh, Lizzy, how that saddens me. You should not have to be content with such crumbs, but I am thankful you do not consider it too little, too late." Mr. Bennet had been thinking on the state of his family and estate these last few days. As he contemplated the changes he could make, he thought himself just as eager as Elizabeth for Mr. Darcy's return.
~~PoR~~
"Shall we celebrate our new partnership?" Mr. Bingley asked. "I feel like celebrating. What an excellent solution you proposed, Darcy." William now owned the larger portion of Mr. Bingley's paper mill. The younger man still retained a healthy percentage of the business; thus, he would share in the profits as well as receive the proceeds of the sale of the majority holdings.
"Perhaps we may do so during my next visit, I am anxious to return to Meryton." William donned his hat as he stepped outside. When he looked to his carriage, he saw a familiar figure trying to talk to his driver. Mr. Bingley followed as William hurried toward his father.
"Is there something I may assist you with, Father?" Mr. Bingley was surprised at how cold William's voice sounded. It was so unlike anything he had heard in their brief acquaintance.
"I had not known you were in town, son. How long will you be here? Perhaps we can dine together this evening." William still winced internally when his father called him son.
Instead of answering the questions posed, William introduced Mr. Bingley. "You will forgive me for not notifying you of my presence. I return to the country as soon as may be arranged." Knowing how it would irritate his father, William provided more information about his activities than he was prone to do. "It was just a quick trip to take care of some business. You must congratulate us. Bingley and I now share ownership in a paper mill."
William was pleased to see his father's jaw clench and the vein in his temple start to pulse. "William, there is no need for this."
"I agree. There is no need for this conversation. But is it not astounding that I have you to thank for my current success in trade?" Conscious of Mr. Bingley's presence, he dulled the barbs he wished to direct toward his father.
"Your mother and Ana are well, I assume. Are they enjoying Hertfordshire?" Once again, Mr. Darcy diverted conversation away from things he did not want to address.
"They are."
After a few more hollow exchanges, Mr. Bingley decided to take his leave. "Ahem, Darcy, I am sure you wish to speak to your father without my presence. It is still visiting hours, I think I may find my way to Gracechurch Street and pay a call on the Gardiners and Miss Bennet."
"Thank you, Bingley. I will be in contact soon. Good luck with your Miss Bennet." William shook Bingley's hand.
"Good luck with yours." Bingley sauntered away whistling.
"First law, then publishing, now you are a mill owner, and your new partner has connections to Gracechurch Street. That is almost Cheapside. It is really too much, William. You are my heir and there are expectations you must fulfill."
"This is not a discussion I wish to have with you and certainly not one I wish to have in public. So, I ask you again, may I assist you with something?" William had not expected to see his father near his solicitor's office. He had taken great pains to separate himself from the Darcy family retainers, be they physicians or solicitors or tutors for Ana. Now he ushered his father into his carriage so they might at least have a pretense of privacy.
"I find it interesting that our paths do not cross more when we are both in town. I was just leaving Hatchards when I saw your carriage, so I had my driver follow and I waited."
"We see each other often enough."
"Twice a year, and both times at Matlock House. Your uncle is not exactly welcoming, and I believe Richard growled at me the last time saw him." William smiled at the memory, for Richard did, in fact, growl at Mr. Darcy. "Darcy House is your home, so is Pemberley, not some leased estate near a primitive market town.
"What did your friend mean, 'good luck with yours'? He was going to see a young lady, have you formed an attachment?"
"That is none of your concern."
"Do not be so obtuse William, of course it is. You must seek a deserving woman to be the mistress of Pemberley for she will carry the Darcy heir. I should not have to tell you that a young lady from Gracechurch Street would be wholly inappropriate."
"You truly are ridiculous. I am lucky that any deserving woman would consider me a deserving man, and it is all due to your behavior. However, once more I must thank you. You have certainly helped me identify what truly matters in life. I no longer place so much importance on status or connections or wealth. It so happens there is a young lady with connections from Gracechurch Street and I think she likes Mr. Darcy the publisher much more than she would like Mr. Darcy the heir of Pemberley. That Mr. Darcy would be too blind to see her worth." William glanced out the window. He had not registered that the carriage was moving and knocked his cane on the ceiling to signal the driver should stop.
"Our conversation is over. I hope you do not mind the walk back to your carriage."